The Future is Female: Celebrating Women and Girls in Science

Why UNESCO Celebrates It Today?

Every year on February 11, the world comes together to celebrate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, an initiative led by the United Nations (UN) and UNESCO. This day is a global call to promote full and equal access to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields for women and girls. The focus is to break gender stereotypes, inspire young minds, and recognize the invaluable contributions of women in science.

2025 Theme: ‘Unpacking STEM Careers: Her Voice in Science’

This year marks the 10th anniversary of this special day with a theme that highlights the importance of women’s voices in STEM careers. Science in the 21st century is no longer confined to laboratories but plays a critical role in solving global challenges such as climate change, health crises, and space exploration. UNESCO aims to make science more diverse, collaborative, and accessible for women worldwide.

A Brief History of the Day

• March 14, 2011 – The Commission on the Status of Women emphasized the role of women and girls in science and technology.
• December 20, 2013 – The UN General Assembly passed a resolution recognizing the need to ensure equal access to science, technology, and innovation.
• February 22, 2015 – The UN officially declared February 11 as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science.
• Since 2016, this day has been annually observed, bringing attention to gender disparities and advocating for equality in STEM.

Trailblazing Women in Science

Women have been at the forefront of scientific discoveries for centuries, but their contributions were often overlooked. Let’s celebrate some of the greatest achievements by women in STEM:

Historical Pioneers:

1. Marie Curie (1867-1934) 🏆 – The only woman to win two Nobel Prizes (Physics & Chemistry) for her groundbreaking work on radioactivity.
2. Rosalind Franklin (1920-1958) 🧬 – Played a crucial role in discovering DNA’s double helix structure.
3. Katherine Johnson (1918-2020) 🚀 – NASA mathematician whose calculations helped land Apollo 11 on the Moon.
4. Ada Lovelace (1815-1852) 💻 – The world’s first computer programmer.

Modern Achievers:

1. Jennifer Doudna & Emmanuelle Charpentier – Won the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their development of CRISPR gene-editing technology.
2. Gagandeep Kang – India’s leading virologist and a key scientist in the development of Rotavirus vaccines.
3. Dr. Swati Mohan  – The Indian-American aerospace engineer who led NASA’s Mars Perseverance Rover landing.
4. Tessy Thomas  – India’s first woman scientist to head a missile project, known as the ‘Missile Woman of India’.

Did You Know? 

• Only 33% of researchers worldwide are women.
• Women make up just 28% of engineering graduates globally.
• Fewer than 20% of the world’s AI professionals are women.
•  The first female Nobel laureate was Marie Curie in 1903 (Physics).
• Valentina Tereshkova was the first woman in space in 1963.
• Hypatia (370-415 AD) was the first known female mathematician and astronomer.

Breaking Barriers: Why More Women in STEM Matters

Encouraging more women and girls in science is not just about equality, but also about driving innovation, economic growth, and problem-solving in key areas like climate change, medicine, and artificial intelligence. The world is changing, and so should the perception of women in STEM!

How can we support women in science?

• Encouraging STEM education from an early age.
• Scholarships and mentorship programs for young women.
• More leadership opportunities for women in research and technology.
• Challenging gender biases and advocating for workplace equality.

Final Thoughts

This 10th International Day of Women and Girls in Science is more than just a celebration—it’s a reminder that the world needs more women in STEM. Whether it’s discovering new planets, developing life-saving medicines, or engineering the future, women are making history every day. Let’s continue to break barriers and inspire the next generation of women scientists, engineers, and innovators!

So, which woman in science inspires you the most? Let us know in the comments!